TDOT
Civil Rights Office
Small Business
Development
Program
Statement of Commitment
 The DBE program is intended to
remedy past and current
discrimination against
disadvantaged business
enterprises, to ensure a “level
playing field,” on which DBEs can
compete fairly for contracts.
DBE Program
What is the program?
This program was developed by the
Federal Highway Administration and is
administered by the Tennessee
Department of Transportation Civil
Rights Office Small Business
Development Program to encourage
minority, female and other
disadvantaged firms to work in the
highway/bridge industry. Both state
and federal construction projects and
monies are included in it.
DBE Ethnic Classifications
MBE
Minority Male Business Enterprise
MFBE
Minority Female Business Enterprise
AIA
Asian Indian American
APA
Asian Pacific American
BA
Black American
HA
Hispanic American
NA
Native American
FBE
Female Business Enterprise
DBE Breakout By Category
Instate
Construction
15%
9%
Instate Consultants
Instate Suppliers
Instate Others
20%
56%
Commercially Useful Function
(CUF)
Expectations of State DBE Program
Definition of CUF, is that the DBE is
responsible for the execution of the
work where the DBE manages,
supervises, obtains the materials,
and performs the work items with
his/her own forces.
Commercially Useful Function
Checklist
Commercially Useful Function
Checklist (Cont’d)
Commercially Useful Function
Checklist (Cont’d)
Key Points to Remember When
Completing CUF Checklist
Include the actual date the DBE work
was observed
Information in Site Manager should
match CUF Checklist
Initial and date any changes on CUF
Checklist
Sign CUF Checklist on last page
Monitoring Responsibilities
 Prime contractors have an obligation
to make every effort in complying w/
intent when awarded goal projects.
 TDOT Project Engineers, in addition
to assigned responsibilities from the
Region, monitor CUF functions and
other DBE matters.
Monitoring Responsibilities
(Cont’d)
 Replacement: A DBE can only be
replaced w/ approval from the
Civil Rights Office SBDP. A
letter, from the prime, should be
written stating: reason for
replacement, company they
wish to use, & if company’s not
a DBE, how the goal will be
achieved.
How To Comply With DBE
Utilization Requirements
TDOT Special Provision (SP) 1247 requires contractors to use DBEs for
subcontracts or suppliers on federal-aid contracts. TDOT tracks usage &
reports to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) & the Commissioner of
TDOT. Prime contractors have an obligation to make every effort in complying
w/ intent when awarded goal projects.
 Posted on the Civil Right’s Small Business Development Program’s
website @:
http://www.tn.gov/tdot/construction/Special%20Provisions/1247.pdf
(It can be made available for those that do not have Internet access)
CC-3 Form
DBE/TNUCP Online Directory
DBE/TNUCP Online Directory
DBE/TNUCP Online Listing
DBE/TNUCP Partners Listing
DBE/TNUCP Online Listing
Cont’d
Should you have any questions/concerns regarding the
DBE Program or issues regarding DBEs on projects, you
may contact:
Elizabeth Michael
Small Business Development Program Director
Elizabeth.Michael@tn.gov
(888) 370-3647 Toll Free
(615) 741-3681 Phone
(615) 741-3169 Fax
Small Business Development
Program Team